The history of letters changes! ? September 9, 15:41

“From when was the character used in the Japanese archipelago?”. There are various theories, but it is thought that it was surely used by "around the 5th century". However, the time when letters were used may go back significantly. The key is “stone fragments” excavated from the remains of the Yayoi period and the Kofun period before the 5th century. As a result of the investigation, it is said that there are a series of cases where this stone fragment is judged as a "stationery", mainly in northern Kyushu. Some of them were excavated from ruins from the pre-Europe period, and some experts point out the possibility that letters were already used in BC. (Fukuoka Broadcasting Station reporter Naohiro Shimada)

Just a stone? No, "Suzuri"

Stone fragments excavated from the Shimohara site in Yayoi period in Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture. In a survey about 40 years ago, it was reported as a “stone” for sharpening blades.

However, there are researchers who see this stone as not a “whetstone”. One of them is Yasuo Yanagida, a visiting professor at Kokugakuin University, who has continued research in the Yayoi period for many years. Mr. Yanagida is thinking about "Suzuri". Yes, that "Suzuri" that we use in calligraphy.

Why is it judged "Suzuri"?

Why does Yanagida think "suzuri"? There are three main reasons.

The first is its “shape”. The researchers referred to the ancient “Suzuri” used in the Han Dynasty of China. Unlike modern tins, it is plate-shaped without any ink pockets. The stone fragments found at the Shimohara site are also flat and slender, resembling the suzuri of the Han period.

The second reason is “ink”. A closer look at the stone showed black deposits on the sides. Yanagida sees this as a black ink dripping from the surface when using "Suzuri".

And the third reason is “indentation on the surface”. When sharpening a blade, the entire surface of the stone wears out with a gentle curve. However, the surface of the stone was found to have a dent only around the center.

Yanagida thinks that while the black ink was then crushed at the center of the tin, only the middle was shaved and hollow.

“Shape” “Food deposits” and “Indentation in the center”. For these three reasons, Yanagida decided that it was not a “grindstone” but a “Suzuri”.

As a result of reviewing other stones that were previously regarded as “whetstones,” Yanagida and others, as of the end of August, decided that “Suzuri” was mainly in northern Kyushu from the Yayoi period to the Kofun period. It was found that the number was about 130.

What is the history of characters in the Japanese archipelago?

In the first place, when did the characters begin to be used reliably in the Japanese archipelago? An inscription is engraved on the “Kinzakiteiteken” excavated from the Inariyama burial mound in Saitama Prefecture.

Inariyama Tomb is an old tomb around the 5th century. For this reason, it was thought that letters were used at least around the 5th century. Even before that time, relics were found that look like letters.

It can be read as “field” left in pottery around the 4th century, excavated from Katabe ruins in Mie Prefecture. A pottery from the Netsuka site in Nagano Prefecture, circa 3rd century, is engraved with something that can be read as “large”.

But are these really letters? I don't really understand. However, according to Yanagida, the Shimohara ruins were used around 100 BC. There are four others from the same period, and Mr. Yanagida points out that letters may have already been used in BC before Kyushu.

“I thought that there would be no letters before BC, but some of the ruins from the Yayoi period in BC came out of the ruin. There may have been culture and civilization. ''

What are the characters for?

In BC, "Suzuri" was already widespread and letters were written ... If so, what was the letter used for?

One researcher, Takeo Kusumi of the Fukuoka City Buried Cultural Property Division, considers it “trade”. Mr. Kusumi is paying attention to the place where Suzuri was excavated. About 130 points, which have been judged as tin in previous surveys, have spread to various parts of western Japan, and many face the sea and rivers.

Mr. Kusumi thinks that these places have a port function and that letters were used for trade.

“I think that people involved in the network of trade that tie long distances used letters for things like trade records, trade inventory, exchange rate records, etc.”

Small stone fragments excavated in various places. The history of the characters in the Japanese archipelago may be greatly changed.

To prove the use of letters

It is still early to judge that "Suzuri" has been excavated = "letters have been used". This is because it may have been used for tattoos and paintings, not letters.

Another reason for thinking is that no definitive evidence, that is, "letters" or "brushes" has been found.

However, the researchers think that “there might be a letter before BC, and if we proceed with a careful study, there may be evidence to support the use of the letter.” I look forward to future research.

Fukuoka Broadcasting Station Naoshima Shimada

Joined in 2010 After working in Hiroshima and Shizuoka, now in charge of science and culture at Fukuoka